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Review: Hops & Chops, Northampton
Hops & Chops opened in March 2018 in the village of St Crispins on the outskirts of Northampton. It describes itself as a ‘modern chophouse’. Chophouses were popular in the 1600s, and brothers James and Matt Ingram have brought this one right into the 21st century.
As soon as you walk in you are faced with a display fridge containing the most amazing large cuts of marbled meats. The décor can only be described as ‘butcher chic’. The walls are adorned with pictures of cows and butchery equipment.
We chose the ‘Honey Heat Tomapork’ – bourbon-glazed pork belly and pork popcorn – plus the Steak Frites. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and the portion sizes are generous, so make sure you are hungry when you arrive. Vegetarian options are available.
As well as the fantastic food menu, there is an extensive drinks list with a large selection of craft beers, plus a gin selection that spans two pages.
Hops & Chops is open Monday to Thursday 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm–10pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sunday 11am-9pm. Booking is essential in the evenings as this place can get quite busy, especially at weekends.
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Review: Cue, Stoneygate, Leicester
When I were a lad, cafés were places to get a full English. Some were bad, some were good. Nowadays they are more likely to involve avocados and chia seeds – but again, some are just following a trend, others are a real treat. Newly opened Cue is definitely in the latter camp.
It fits in well to the upmarket surroundings of Leicester’s Stoneygate with a simple, pared-down style. The food offering is pure 2018 – shaksuka, eggs florentine, quinoa and buckwheat granola – but on each visit we’ve seen real care and intelligence put into every dish. Sliced avocado on toasted sourdough soared above hipster cliché, being paired with salty crumbled feta, a spiky chilli and lime dressing and perfectly poached eggs. A lunch dish saw delicate Korean-smoked brisket piled into an excellent brioche bun with a very tasty sesame-rich Asian ‘slaw. It came with “home fries” – in this instance, good and crunchy sautéd new potatoes.
For old-school café lovers there’s even a fried breakfast – though note this being a halal business there’s beef sausages and beef bacon. There’s a good range of of teas and coffees and the cakes are suitably indulgent – think Eton Mess tiffin or white chocolate and raspberry torte.
With super-friendly and helpful staff creating a laid-back atmosphere, this is the kind of place every every local shopping street needs.
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Review: The Church Bar & Restaurant, Northampton
The Church is a staple of the Northampton restaurant scene. It has been open since 2005 and is a unique and beautiful venue. Previously St John’s Church, it’s now the oldest secular building in Northampton, dating back to the 12th century.
The Church’s owners have done a brilliant job of using the Grade I-listed building’s original features to create a stunning modern restaurant. This makes for a wonderfully atmospheric venue – perfect for a celebration meal. Fittingly, it’s available for weddings.
The food lives up to the amazing surroundings. The menu is short but well balanced, and the cooking is accomplished. On our most recent lunch visit we shared the charcuterie board to start, followed by the gnocchi and the lamb koftas. The lamb is sourced from Red Barn Farm in the nearby village of Old. For dessert, the charcoal macaroons with chocolate ganache were delicious. There’s an award-winning vegan menu, which is pre-order only.
The Church is open Tuesday to Saturday from midday until late. There isn’t any parking at the restaurant itself but if you arrive for a dinner reservation after 6pm you can leave your car in the adjacent British Heart Foundation shop car park.
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Review: The White Lion, Knighton, Staffordshire
The White Lion describes its ethos as “excellent as a minimum, local where we can, ethically produced and delivered with passion”. That’s an accurate picture of what you’ll find at this pub, set in the Staffordshire countryside near to its borders with Shropshire and Cheshire.
Julian and Helen took over the rundown pub and have quickly worked wonders, hitting that sweet spot between traditional country pub and high-quality dining.
Besides the original characterful 17th century bar and cosy snug, there’s a dining room with conservatory area, plus gardens where you can watch the pub’s chickens and Tamworth pigs doing their thing.
On the menu you’ll find a great range of small plates, starters and platters – look out for the British cured meats sharing starter with such delights as Cornish coppa and Suffolk chorizo. Mains include pub classics with a twist: fish and chips come with seaweed tartar sauce and charred lemon, the burger with smoked pancetta and caramelised onions. Steaks are dry-aged for up to 35 days and there’s some sensational optional accompaniments such as bone marrow or garlic & truffle butter.
The White Lion excels at modern British cooking and dishes we’ve enjoyed include chicken stuffed with nduja & goats’ cheese and pork faggots with braised lettuce. Seafood fans will love the spanking fresh specials featuring line-caught seabass, turbot, hand-dived scallops and the like. We were wowed by their grilled Cornish lobster with crab mayo and tempura samphire.
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Review: Lamplight Restaurant, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Lamplight restaurant has been around for around 30 years. Located in Victoria Square, Ashbourne, just off the cobbled market place, the 15th century former coaching inn has retained all its character. It’s a wood-beamed jewel, cosy and atmospheric yet minimalist. It’s run by proprietors, chefs and sisters Pat and Linda, and was formerly managed by their parents.
My partner and I chose a Saturday evening visit and booked a table in advance (recommended). Friendly waiting staff greeted us as we entered up a small flight of stairs to the first floor. We were shown to our table in one of two rooms separated by a spiral staircase, one overlooking the market place, the other neighbouring the soulful kitchen.
The menu is seasonal. We chose a three-course option for £23 (£21 Wednesday to Friday). Our starters –asparagus & Parma ham accompanied by a perfect soft-poached egg and balsamic glaze – and poached pear, blue cheese & walnut salad – were faultless. For mains we chose chicken breast in mushroom, leek and tarragon cream sauce, and Mediterranean vegetable & halloumi tagliatelle. Both were excellent and delicious. Although sated, we ordered desserts, which were heavenly: chocolate & raspberry brownie, and peach melba Eton mess, both served with whipped cream.
Conversations overheard in the kitchen were friendly with lots of laughter. Overall, a lovely dining experience and great value for money. We’ll be visiting Lamplight again.
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Review: Fields Kitchen, Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire
Fields Kitchen, a new addition to the North Yorkshire food scene, nestles on the outskirts of Sherburn-in-Elmet. It is a culinary celebration of the region and features traditional dishes given a 21st century makeover.
Open daily, it offers breakfast, lunch and sweet treats, sourcing from local suppliers in York, Leeds and surrounding villages. The new building is welcoming, with cosy seating, rustic tables and chairs, and lots of space and light. This is a super addition to this historic area of North Yorkshire (the Wars of the Roses’ Battle of Towton was fought nearby).
Pre-lunch options include homemade granola, traditional cooked breakfast with Fields baked beans, or a selection of brunch dishes. On a recent visit we chose eggs Florintine, consisting of two free-range poached eggs, toasted rye bread, buttered spinach and fresh Hollandaise sauce. On another visit occasion we stopped by for lunch and enjoyed excellent sandwiches, which are served on either artisan rye bread with caraway seeds, ciabatta or bloomer bread. They braise their ham hock on site, so it is a truly Yorkshire ham!
Fields Kitchen has excellent drinks selection, including Brew Tea Co loose-leaf tea in amazing glass tea pots, and Leodois coffee – a small independent company which roasts its beans in Yorkshire.
There’s a seating area outside surrounded by flowering plants and shrubs – it adjoins a garden centre after all – plus the pretty Yorkshire countryside. The staff are super friendly, eager to help and serve with a smile. You can’t really ask for more than that.
I couldn’t recommend this café more. It’s lovely to see small independent places like this serving local ingredients and cooking from scratch with care.
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Four creative ways for indies to boost business this summer
How do you attract new customers and surprise and delight your loyal fans? Here are a few ideas for boosting business this summer, with some fascinating real-world examples.
1. Hold quirky events
You don’t generally need to give people an excuse to get out of the house during summer, but you do need to give them a reason to visit. A good way to do this is to take advantage of outside space (if you have it) and hold events. Patios, gardens, rooftops and even nearby spaces such as parks (pending council approval) can be used to your advantage.Canbury Secret, a café in Kingston upon Thames, has started running a series of Riverside Yoga & Brunch events this summer. The ticketed events invite the public to a yoga session followed by brunch, giving customers new and old a chance to interact with like-minded people, get out and enjoy the weather.
Lesley Muir, who runs the yoga, said: “There was a lovely atmosphere because it was such a spectacular setting, with such a lot of community activity taking place all around – tennis, rowing, kayaking, people enjoying the area with their children and, of course, the café itself is a fantastic reason to visit the space.
“Yoga is for everyone and there was a real mixture of people at the class of all ages. Quite a few were runners who enjoy yoga to build up strength and flexibility. Others were seasoned yogis looking for a chance to practice outside in a beautiful setting. After the class, we all enjoyed a delicious brunch together; it’s very sociable and a fantastic way to make new friends and start the weekend in a relaxed way.”
Events give you the opportunity to showcase your food and venue, build your brand in the local community and generate revenue, all at the same time.
The benefits of ticketing
By ticketing events you can trial the popularity of the idea: there is no need to invest more marketing budget into a concept that is only attracting a couple of patrons. Offer the tickets and if it doesn’t prove popular you’ll know a new idea is needed next time.Ticketing also means you can prepare the right amount of food and allocate an appropriate amount of space.
Limiting the tickets means the experience won’t be saturated and also inspires urgency. If a person wants to attend and the tickets are limited, they are likelier to buy there and then.
2. Come up with a way to stand out
A tip for all year round is to find a way for your establishment to stand out. It is not enough to offer great Italian food, for example, if nine other restaurants within a mile do the same thing. People need a reason to visit your business above others.The Courtesan in Brixton is a modern dim-sum restaurant that turns into a late-night cocktail bar. They have recently started hosting free weekly burlesque shows, along with a monthly Sunday Supper Club ‘House of Meihua’ event, which is ticketed. These events draw burlesque fans to a potentially undiscovered venue, which may turn them into regular customers, while also treating dim-sum fans to something a little different with their wontons.
There is no denying there are quite a few burlesque events in London, and similarly more Chinese restaurants than you can count. But by bringing the two together the restaurant has found a unique point of difference.So, how do you find your angle?
– Look at popular trends. Are there any big films/TV shows coming out soon? You could hold themed evenings that serve food and drinks based on the film/show.
– Is there a gap in the entertainment market near you? Sure, there is a rock venue down the road but is there a jazz club? Could you hold a monthly jazz night and transform the venue into a prohibition-style speak-easy for the night, for instance?
– Think of something completely original, eyeing key trends. For example, if you’re a dog-friendly pub, why not create a secret dog-lovers’ menu that customers can specially request when they walk in with their four-legged friend? Dare to be different and creative.
3. Fill in the blanks
What do you do if you don’t have an outside space and it is 29°C? It is likely you are going to suffer from empty seats outside peak times anyway but particularly while the sun is shining. How can you secure customers during the summer and compete with beer gardens? The answer is to repurpose unused space.WorkClub partners cafés and restaurants to offer a co-working space for mobile workers, such as freelancers. The mobile workers turn up to a venue during off-peak hours and work. This gives the venue a flood of new customers in what would otherwise be a quiet part of the day.
The establishment offers the workers a space with electrical outlets, wi-fi, perhaps air-conditioning, and toilet facilities without the risk of being told to move on. The community of workers helps the establishment by buying food and drink during their time there, helping cash flow.
Nick Donnelly, managing director at WorkClub, said: “Our community spends on average 3-4 hours working from a WorkClub venue – which means in most cases our members will buy food or drink. This creates a new revenue stream.
“We have also negotiated some incredible deals with our venues. Free hot drinks, 2-4-1 on the menu, 30% off breakfast – we do this to encourage our members to spend money while they are in a WorkClub.”
With the rise of the freelancer economy, repurposing your venue is a way to bring in new people and make some money from a space that would otherwise be empty, offering an alternative to busy coffee-shop chains.
4. Go mobile
If you can’t get people to come to your restaurant, perhaps it is time to bring your restaurant to them! Over the summer months there are hundreds of festivals held around the country. These attract thousands of people away from the high streets, but these people will still be looking for food.A food truck or a stall will open doors to new business during the summer. While your bricks-and-mortar establishment stays open, you can follow the crowds and grow your business on the road, increasing the size of your customer base.
Steak & Honour, an indie burger joint in Cambridge, have their own vibrant food trucks that they send out to festivals around the UK, but also park around popular areas in Cambridge. Not only do these vans give access to delicious food in multiple locations without asking the public to sacrifice their time in the sun, but they also increase brand awareness, perhaps collecting a few fans along the way.
Alternatively, if you do not have the means to run a food truck, or the idea isn’t for you, you could consider partnering another brand to hold a pop-up event at their venue.
An example of this in action is Honest Burgers, who teamed up with The Robin Hood pub in Bristol and served their burgers in the venue. This widens the reach of their products to customers that may not have visited their eatery, but without the additional costs that go with attending events with a pop-up stall or food truck.
This article was supplied by small-business finance company Liberis. Liberis may be able to offer loans for ideas such as food trucks or redevelopment projects. For example, their ‘Business Cash Advance’ scheme is repaid based on a percentage of card takings rather than a fixed monthly amount, making it easier during off-peak months.
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Festival of Food & Drink at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, September 15-16
A new Gin School is one of the many attractions at this year’s Festival of Food & Drink at Clumber Park in north Nottinghamshire. Other crowd pullers are cookery demos from MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire, and BBC Britain’s Best Home Cook’s Dan Doherty and Chris Bavin. There will also be cookery workshops with The School of Artisan Food.
Present, too, will be a mouthwatering selection of producers in the Food & Drink Marquee, a range of street-food traders and pop-up cafés, and live music throughout the weekend. Tickets start at just £7 in advance with free entry into Clumber Park included.
More here.
‘Eat Well for Less’ presenter Greg Wilson will also be at Clumber Park. Photo: Vicki Couchman
MasterChef winner Jane Devonshire
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Review: The Bridge Inn, Calver, Derbyshire
The Bridge Inn at Calver is situated in the heart of the Peak District. It was beautifully renovated and relaunched in 2016, creating a modern and funky ambience while retaining its authentic appeal. There is a large outside seating area with tables, bean bags, riverside views and kids’ play areas, which adds to the wonderful atmosphere. This is a great pub in the Peaks and best of all, the menu is inspired and the food is fabulous!
Family owned by partners David and Samantha, who also run the Devonshire Arms in Baslow, combined they have over 50 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. The ethos at The Bridge is inspired by tapas-style dining, in the sense that it’s all about social eating and drinking.
The former coaching inn has been refurbished to a high standard. The décor is stylish and modern, with olive greens, brick walls, woods, leather, and industrial-style furnishings. On entering the pub, there’s a drinkers bar to the left and tiered dining areas to the right. The former stable units are now dining booths on the middle level, and on the lower level you’ll find the open kitchen offering a view of the chefs.
We visited on a busy Sunday afternoon in the glorious sunshine, chose our table outside and then ordered at the bar. We went for the ‘Humble Cauliflower’ – a visual delight and taste sensation served with cumin yoghurt, chipotle mayonnaise, pomegranate and almonds. We also tried the belly pork and the Coronation Confit Chicken, which were equally delicious. As well as the tapas options, the pub also serves snacks, sandwiches and desserts.
The staff were friendly, chatty and efficient, the drinks choice was good and the food was served quickly. All in all, a very enjoyable experience and a venue we will visit every time we’re in the area.
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Review: The Churchill Arms, Paxford, Gloucestershire
Walking into this beautifully restored 17th century Cotswolds hostelry near Chipping Campden, I was reminded of the opening line of T.S. Eliot’s poem, Burnt Norton: “Time present and time past. Are both perhaps present in time future?”
What stories the walls here could tell of love gained and love lost, of friendships, revelries and more! [Very poetic. Did you write this after a glass or two of red? – Ed].
Chef and proprietor Nick Deverell-Smith has worked with several of London’s best chefs, notably Pierre Marco White, although it’s Eric Chavot who holds a special place in his culinary journey. Now plying his trade in this bucolic Cotswold village, Nick’s passion for food is undimmed.
Cooking with inspiration and – more importantly – fantastic local produce, he is delivering plates of great flavour. Nick has a strong bond with his suppliers, insuring only the best seasonal ingredients appear on his menu. For example, a T-bone pork chop from Todenham Manor Farm served with a meat jus, sage leaves, spiced apple and crackling was absolutely on the money! A starter of smoked haddock soufflé in a chive velouté also hit the spot. To finish, an indulgent chocolate pudding, perfectly runny inside and topped with glazed bananas and accompanied by ice cream, concluded our meal delightfully.
I put Nick on the spot and asked if he had to choose one meal to eat, not necessarily something on his menu, what would it be? His answer – a chateaubriand steak with girolles mushrooms and maybe truffle macaroni cheese – was suitably mouthwatering.
The Churchill Arms has four smartly appointed rooms for those wishing to stop over and explore the countryside. And enjoy a hearty breakfast, of course.
You will not be disappointed!
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Review: Bedouin, Cambridge
There is a north African proverb that says: “They ate our food and forgot our names.”
Well, I ate the food and do remember the names of the Algerian family who run Bedouin on Mill Road in Cambridge. Brothers Karim and Djamel Rerizani and family serve up wonderfully tasty North African dishes in this atmospheric, enjoyable restaurant.
We started with bastilla, a super Moroccan dish that combines sweet and savoury. This was a sensational starter – perfectly crisp pastry sprinkled with almonds and icing sugar enclosing subtly spiced chicken, resulting in an explosion of favour.
Tagine kefte bedaoui
My main of shtetha laham is a typical Algerian dish of slow-cooked lamb in a tomato sauce with paprika, garlic and chilli with flat-leaf parsley, chick peas and potatoes. This was one of the most satisfying dishes I’ve eaten – wholesome, rustic and packed with flavour. My friend had a tagine kefte bedaoui – lamb meatballs flavoured with cumin, garlic and herbs, and finished with an egg and grated cheese. Again, this was hearty, stomach- and soul-pleasing food – well-cooked home-style fare that’s great to relax with.
Bedouin serves authentic, tasty and honest North African food. It is family run and has a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. What more do you want?!
The Rerizani also has a sister restaurant – Al Casbah – down the road.
By Philip Seaman, Cambridgeshire editor
Inside Bedouin
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Thinking of starting a small food business? Then head to The School of Artisan Food
I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of my favourite places in Nottinghamshire, The School of Artisan Food on the glorious Welbeck Estate near Sherwood Forest in the north of the county. The School opened in 2006 and has developed an outstanding reputation for its training and courses, from bread-making, cheesemaking, brewing and butchery to preserving, charcuterie, ice-cream-making and patisserie. The School also offers courses on business and entrepreneurship, and has established an annual weekend of foodie lectures, attracting a range of leading speakers from the worlds of food, farming, food policy and research, broadcasting and journalism.
Many of us dream of working in food and drink, perhaps wishing we could sell enough of our delicious home-made jam to give up the day job, or marketing our home-produced cheese, opening a café, restaurant or deli, or maybe launching a traditional bakery. But starting your own business is a big decision and there is a lot to think about before diving in. The School of Artisan Food is here to help.
The School runs a two-day course several times a year centred on food start-ups and I was delighted to be invited to go along and listen in. The courses are kept deliberately small (a maximum of 12) so each individual has the opportunity to participate and discuss their specific ideas directly with the course leader, Yvonne O’Donovan. When I visited there were people from all over the country from a range of backgrounds, some with clear and specific ideas about what they wanted to do, others just beginning to explore whether launching a food business was right for them.
The course is relaxed and participative, taking you from an early exploration of ideas to the nitty gritty practicalities of business planning, financing, accounting and forecasting. The course helps you to profile your “entrepreneurial personality” – how risk averse are you? Is running a business really for you? By the end of the two days the course will have covered almost every aspect of setting up and running your food business, thinking about your customers, financial management, understanding profits and pricing, how to “pitch” and put together a business plan, plus legal and regulatory requirements.
The course takes place in the library and lecture theatre, providing a supportive, informed and engaging environment. Last but by no means least, students get to sample the (always) excellent catering by the School’s own chefs, which takes “buffet lunch” to a new level! You also have the opportunity to visit other small artisan businesses on the Welbeck Estate, including the award-winning farm shop.
If you think you might want to start your own artisan food business, attending this course is a must. Courses run throughout the year and currently cost £395 for two full days.
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Localism in Catalonia highlights what Britain’s missing
There are lots of good things to be said about a food scene with a wide range of influences. London, especially, has the most diverse set of food cultures anywhere. But at what cost?
On a recent jaunt through Catalonia, I realised few things are specifically described as “sourced locally”. Because they always have been. Referring to an ingredient as “local” would be like calling the sky blue.
And yet one can find such an abundance of food that provides a welcoming sense of place. One of Catalans’ favourite specialties is calçots – a Catalan term for spring onion. But there’s more to it than that. Don a bib. Grill spring onions at their season’s peak to within an inch of their lives. Peel away the charred coat. Dredge in romesco. Tilt the head back. Lower the entire thing into the mouth. Off you go.
What else is there? How about escalivada – a dish of grilled peppers, aubergine, and anchovies. Cap i pota, translating to the ‘head and leg’ of the pig, but generally meaning a stew of everything in between which hasn’t made it into the jamon or chorizo. Suquet de piex, a stew once made with the bits the fishermen couldn’t otherwise sell. Pa amb tomaquet, a pretty much de facto part of any meal, where sliced tomato is rubbed over bread with some olive oil and salt. Like many Catalan dishes, it harks back to peasant grub.
Oh, I almost forgot the caracoles. Snails, these are, cooked in tomato, garlic, and paprika. They have their own festival for them, where 12 tonnes of gastropods are consumed. But then, the Catalans have a festival or moment of celebration for just about any food. Artichokes, tuna stew, figs, almonds, mushrooms, chestnuts, cured meat, wild boar. And the rest.
Some of these simple delights can be had in old corners of Barcelona. Like the wonderful Bodega Bartoli, where the servers (quite rightly) swing you incredulous looks if you haven’t tucked away all your tripe soup or grilled octopus. It’s the sort of reaction your mum once gave you when you barely touched the broccoli.
But speaking more contemporarily, within the past several years the philosophy – if you can even call it a conscious one – of localism has extended to beer, too. Catalonia has only recently been known as a craft beer-producing region/country, but in some instances they’re head and shoulders above everyone else. Lo Vilot, who’re based in the countryside outside the city of Lleida, are one of the very few craft breweries in Europe (if any) to painstakingly plant their own hops, grow and malt their own barley, and cultivate their own yeast. Ales Agullons, an operation run by one man who, inspired by The Wolf Brewery in Norfolk, converted much of his farmhouse into a cask beer bar and brewery with its own, relatively comprehensive, barrel-ageing setup that puts out some of the best lambic between here and Cantillon.
Then there’s La Pirata – an incredibly versatile brewery found in an industrial estate in a tiny town north of the Sant Antoni reservoir which, despite this, attracts hundreds of locals when its taproom opens each Friday. Maybe it’s no coincidence these guys happen to be the best brewers in the country.
Sure, we love to shout about localism in the UK. We’re always wanting to feel better connected to Britain, whether our own patch or in its entirety. But when will we get to the real point, where instead of if it being a thing, it just is?
This post was put out after a trip organised and paid for by the Catalan Tourist Board.
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Locally sourced last-minute Fathers’ Day gifts from independent businesses
If you haven’t got anything fixed for Fathers’ Day yet, don’t worry, there’s still time. We’ve rounded up some last-minute dad-pleasing ideas, all from independent businesses in Great Food Club’s recommended network – so you can be sure the quality will be outstanding and that your money will go to local businesses. Included are some superb eating-out options in the East Midlands – our home turf – but also some brilliant gifts you can order online (best order it today to meet the deadline). So there’s something for everyone, no matter where you live.
Online order: Teetotal GnT – ‘The Driver’s Choice’
Teetotal GnT from The Temperance Spirit Company (pictured above) has all the flavour of gin and tonic; Teetotal Cuba Libre has all the flavour of rum and cola. These are perfect for all dads anytime and anywhere, especially when he’s driving. Pick up a four-bottle pack for £12.95 here.
Eat out: The Wheatsheaf Pub & Kitchen in Bingham, Nottinghamshire
The Wheatsheaf Pub & Kitchen is located in a prominent town centre building in Bingham dating back to 1779. It comes recommended by our Nottinghamshire editor, Abby Brennan. This Sunday they are offering a free pint for dad with their two- or three-course set menu, served 12-8pm. Book on 01949 837430.
Eat out: Rolls-Royce-standard fish & chips in Leicester
If dad’s a fish and chip fan, he’ll enjoy the gold-plated chippy experience at The Fish & The Chip in Leicester. With superb fish and chips (jerk-spice batter or plain?), Freedom lager on tap and a fine range of wines and cocktails available too, he’s bound to have a great time. Open 12-8.30pm this Sunday.
Online order: Cracking brews from Wye Valley Brewery in Herefordshire
Wye Valley Brewery makes top-quality ales in Herefordshire. Their Faceplant is a pale, naturally hazy saison offering “a tour de force of fruity and spicy flavours, plus a slipstream of citrus and pepper notes”. Definitely worth getting out of your saddle for! From £17.99 for 8x500ml. Order online or call 01885 490505.
Eat out: Steak & Malbec at The Knight & Garter in Leicester
The Knight & Garter in Leicester opened in summer 2017 after a perfectionist £1.4m renovation. For Fathers’ Day this Sunday they are offering dads a complementary glass of Malbec with every dry-aged steak ordered. Stunning roasts from award-winning butcher Owen Taylor are available too. Book on 0116 303 3310.
Collect from the shop or pub: Beautiful beers from Brewsters Brewery
Brewsters Brewery, run by Sara Barton and team, brews exceptional beers in Grantham, Lincolnshire. You can pick up single cans/bottles, gift packs, six-packs and cases for Dad from the brewery shop: 5-6 Burnside, Turnpike Close, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 7XU. Open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. Or you can buy them from Brewsters’ pub, The Marquis of Granby, Granby, Notts, NG13 9PN. Open from 4pm weekdays and from 12pm weekends.
Online order: Award-winning whisky distilled in Norfolk using local ingredients
The English Whisky Co of Roundham distils using local Breckland water and Norfolk barley. The result is outstanding. There are plenty of mail-order gift options here.
Online/phone order: Voucher for a daddy-sized ploughman’s on the gorgeous ‘Pickled Terrace’ in Northamptonshire
Bulwick Village Shop in Northamptonshire, home of The Pickled Village preserves, is offering vouchers for a daddy-sized ploughman’s lunch with real ale, lager or wine (although you can exchange your voucher for anything on the Terrace Menu). The shop and terrace are open 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Price: £10 per dad! To buy, call 01780 450774 or email hello@thepickledshop.com.
Online order: Craft gin and craft beard kit
This is a collaboration between two cutting-edge Leicestershire brands, bringing together craft gin and craft beards! The Fathers’ Day package includes a bottle of Burleighs Dry Gin, hand-distilled in the heart of the Charnwood Forest, plus a Bear Grooming Beard Essential Kit, consisting of beard oil & beard wash. £40 per package. Buy here.
Every business featured in this post is part of GFC’s recommended network and is recommended on merit. However, this post contains some advertisements. GFC has more than 13,000 members. Would you like to work with us? For more info, click here.
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Everards to open “agile” new brewery, beer hall and distillery
Everards of Leicestershire is to build an “agile” new brewery, a 200-plus capacity beer hall, and will start distilling its own gin, vodka, rum and saké at its new £20m Everards Meadows brewery site, where building work began this May.
Everards chief executive Stephen Gould told the Leicester Mercury: “Our new brewery will be more agile than the one we had at Castle Acres, so I suspect we will produce different styles and varieties of beer – alongside our main traditional styles. We will also be working with our partners between now and the end of 2019 to create a range of Everards spirits produced by us, using, I hope, botanicals harvested in Everards Meadows. We are looking into distilling from our own beer – some distillers buy in the raw spirit and some produce from beer mash, so there will be more news on that to follow.”
Everards Meadows, which is located next to police headquarters in Enderby, will offer almost two miles of cycling and footpaths, mooring points on the Grand Union Canal and a new bridge over the River Soar. A cycle centre – operated by Rutland Cycles and offering bikes to buy or rent – and a cafe will open next May.
An impression of what Everards Meadows café and cycle centre will look like
The copper still will be housed in the brewery. The adjacent beer hall will host tasting sessions, brewery tours, food & drink festivals and other events to help establish Everards Meadows as a tourist destination.
This story was first distributed by Propel Info.
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Belvoir Castle’s new food and drink development will be an exciting addition to the East Midlands
Belvoir Castle’s new Engine Yard development is located a few hundred yards from the Castle and will be an exciting addition to the East Midlands’ food and drink scene.
Scheduled to open in June 2018, The Engine Yard will be home to a café with a pop-up restaurant and upstairs events space, a wine bar, a butchery, a deli and a children’s play area. Luxury shops and a spa will complete the mix.
This new food and drink hub will also host events throughout the year, such as BBQ evenings, cookery demonstrations, foodie talks, farmers’ markets, craft fairs and children’s activity experiences.
Created from a cluster of 19th century buildings originally used to service the 15,000-acre Belvoir Estate, the Engine Yard’s sensitive conversion is costing around £2.4m.
The Engine Yard team would like to talk to food and drink businesses interested in teaming up to run pop-up events. For details, please email marketing@belvoircastle.com.
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Where to eat in Stamford, Lincolnshire
Stamford in Lincolnshire was described by Sir Walter Scott as “the finest stone town in England”. Visitors today tend to agree with him, especially after enjoying the town’s many enticing pubs, cafés, restaurants and food shops. It’s a superb place to visit for a day or weekend, so we’ve created a Great Food Club Guide to Stamford to give you a few ideas on where to refuel and stock up next time you’re in town. We hope this features both inspires you to visit this beautiful place and enhances your time while you’re there!
Lambert’s, Cheyne Lane
Lambert’s Kitchen, Deli & Coffee Shop is a fabulous place for breakfast, lunch or, on Thursday and Friday evenings, supper – for which it is gaining a superb reputation. It also stocks a wide range of deli products, locally sourced where possible, because Lambert’s loves to support local farmers and producers. Steve Conway opened Lambert’s in February 2016 and delicious food is only to be expected – he was executive head chef at the highly regarded Barnsdale Lodge in Rutland for five years and head chef at Stapleford Park in Leicestershire before that. Try the waffles with dry-cure bacon and maple syrup – complemented by the excellent coffee – it hits the spot nicely!
Did you know? Great Food Club members get 10% off the food bill at Lambert’s on Thursday & Friday evenings (6.30pm to 8.30pm), with a maximum of four people per Great Food Club card. Please mention you are a Great Food Club member when booking or when ordering your food, and show your membership card.
The Tobie Norris, St Paul’s Street
Many pubs have character but few have as much as the Tobie Norris. Parts of the building date back to 1280 and the time-worn flagstones and gnarled beams ooze history. Food ranges from the Tobie’s famous stone-baked pizzas to well-thought-out mains using ingredients from the owner’s farm, plus Sunday roasts from 12-8pm with rib of beef and slow-cooked shoulder of lamb. On offer are five real ales, two real ciders and some fine craft beers, and the wine list is also extensive, with up to 18 available by the glass. Please note than prams and pushchairs cannot be accommodated due to the nature of the building.
Did you know? Great Food Club members get 10% off the food menu at any time at The Tobie Norris, with a maximum of four people per Great Food Club card. Please mention you are a Great Food Club member when booking or when ordering your food, and show your membership card.
Café au Chocolat, Ironmonger Street
Café au Chocolat is not just about crêpes and chocolate (although we can definitely vouch for the hot organic white chocolate with red, white and black peppercorns). It is about coffee, too. Carefully selected speciality coffees and a monthly single-origin variety are made using the “theatrical brew bar technique”, and owner Krystyna is a keen proponent of careful sourcing for this varied and complex bean. Sweet-toothed customers are rewarded with an array of artisan chocolates, available singly or in gift boxes, as well as a fine selection of French-style patisserie handmade by a specialist pâtissier. Smoothies, Belvoir juices and speciality teas are also available.
Hambleton Bakery, Ironmonger Street
Hambleton Bakery is one of Britain’s best artisan bakeries. Its Stamford branch on Ironmonger Street is one of six Hambleton Bakery outlets and, like the others, stocks a brilliant array of loaves, cakes and savouries. Favourite loaves include the ‘Hambleton Local’ – made using local beer barm and flour from nearby Whissendine Mill – and ‘Borodinsky’ – based on a Russian rye bread recipe. The Rutland Pippin – a crusty dough filled with ham hock, sausage meat, Colston Bassett Stilton and a Bramley apple puree – is well worth a try. Hambleton Bakery was set up by Hambleton Hall owner Tim Hart in 2008 as an antidote to fast-baked, artificial supermarket bread. Its huge woodfired oven in Exton, Hambleton bakes more than 500 loaves a day.
Did you know? Great Food Club members get a free small tin loaf or one free Hambleton Bakery jute bag when they spend over £10. Not available in addition to any other offer. Members should present their Great Food Club card at the till before paying.
The Crown Hotel, All Saints’ Place
The Crown Hotel has a bustling bar, fabulous courtyard / beer garden, characterful lounge, and informal restaurant. Each area has its own distinct character, introduced by Michael Thurlby when he took on the hotel in November 2014 and added it to his Knead Pubs group. There is attention to detail and quirkiness: original Stamford stone has been uncovered and old signs deck the walls. The menus, created by executive chef Nick Buttress, are local and seasonal. A recent review of The Crown left by a Great Food Club member on our website in April 2018 said: “Excellent service, polite and friendly staff, our lunch was delicious, plentiful and well presented, one could not fault it. The Crown is in the centre of Stamford so perfect when shopping.”
Did you know? Great Food Club members get 10% off the food menu at any time at The Crown, with a maximum of four people per Great Food Club card. Please mention you are a Great Food Club member when booking or when ordering your food, and show your membership card.
Paten & Co, All Saints’ Place
Since opening in November 2017, Paten & Co (so named because of the old sign above the door revealed during renovations) has provided Stamford with a brand new pub to enjoy. Like its sister venue over the road, The Crown, Paten & Co is a bustling place that captures Stamford’s confidence and growing popularity. Set out over three levels and incorporating an industrial look, this unique 18th century pub has an extensive drinks menu, from gins and cocktails to wines and craft beers. Food-wise, there’s a nice selection of small plates, such as grilled Korean chicken skewer with kimchi salad and Rutland Charcuterie bresaola with shaved pecorino and capers. Bigger appetites will appreciate the pub’s charcoal oven, which produces super steaks, pork and fish dishes.
The George, High Street St Martin’s
Everyone should visit Stamford’s most historic inn at least once. Situated on the old Great North Road, a hotel has stood here for around 1,000 years. Traditional hospitality and service, plus a commitment to quality, are at the heart of The George’s approach. The lounge areas – perfect for afternoon tea – are more comfortable than a prince’s velvet slippers, the Garden Room Restaurant is a relaxed oasis of greenery, and the cobbled rear courtyard is perfect on a sunny day. There is an air of relaxed formality throughout The George – it is very much in touch with its traditional values.
Zada, St Mary’s Hill
Turkish restaurant Zada is the proud holder of a Michelin Plate and is located in one of Stamford’s trademark beautiful old buildings in the town centre. The lovely setting and ancient stonework (parts of the property date back to the 13th century) add a great deal to the atmosphere and overall feel. The menu is packed with authentic Turkish dishes such as lamb kofte, sucuk (charcoal grilled beef sausage), hot mixed meze, chicken shish, izgara balik (grilled fish of the day with potato salad and rice), and sebze moussaka. For dessert you’ll struggle to resist the baklava. The service is friendly and efficient too, adding up to a great night out.
Did you know? Great Food Club members get 15% off Monday to Friday and 20% off Saturday 12-5pm and Sun 12-10pm at Zada for up to four people per membership card. Note: no offer running Saturday night. Please mention you’re a GFC member when booking and show your card when paying.
Nelsons Butchers, Broad Street
Nelsons Butchers has probably been responsible for more Sunday lunches and Christmas dinners in Stamford and Rutland than any other. Read the full story behind this Stamford legend here.
Stamford Cheese Cellar, St Mary’s Street
Established in 2010, this town centre shop showcases some 200 cheeses plus a fine range of artisan spirits, especially gins and whiskeys. But the main focus is cheese, and if there’s a variety it doesn’t sell, the team will do their best to get it. Customers come not just for the range but for the advice and insider information. “We visit as many of our suppliers as we can,” says shop owner Karen Brammer. “We meet the farmers, the distillers and even the animals!” Stamford Cheese Cellar is an Aladdin’s cave of goodies.
About this post: Every business featured above is part of GFC’s recommended network and is recommended on merit. However, this post contains some advertisements.
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Hart’s of Nottingham celebrates 20 years with limited-edition tasting menu
Hart’s is celebrating its 20th birthday. The renowned Nottingham independent restaurant has been tantalising tastebuds across the region since 1997!
This month they are showcasing their culinary skills with a limited-edition tasting menu. The six-course menu will be available from Monday May 21 for one week only (excluding Saturday) for £65 per person. Cooked up by head chef Dan Burridge, who has been at the helm for over seven years, each course is crafted from seasonal, local ingredients, reflecting the ethos of Hart’s.
To reserve a table to dine, call 0115 988 1900.
This is a promoted post.
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Burleighs Gin launches ‘The Gin Voyage’
Burleighs Gin has launched ‘The Gin Voyage’ – a cocktail and gin tour across some of Leicester’s best bars.
The Burleighs Gin Voyage is set to depart on Thursday May 24, offering groups of dedicated gin enthusiasts a unique opportunity to venture through the Burleighs range at some of the finest bars Leicester has to offer.
The on-foot tour gives a new lease of life to the gin masterclass, combining expertly crafted cocktails, gin tastings and informative chat all under the guidance of a Burleighs Gin Distiller!
The debut event features four bars at the heart of the city’s vibrant cocktail scene: The Orange Tree, The Queen of Bradgate, 45 St Martins and 45 West. Ticket pricing includes four exceptional cocktails, tasting of four gins from the Burleighs range, and a fun and informative gin masterclass along the way!
Tickets are extremely limited and available here.
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Recipe: Chocolate Delice by Andi Walker
Ingredients:
800g dark chocolate
½ tablespoon salt
700ml double cream
150g butter1. Place the cream into a saucepan and slowly bring to the boil.
2. While your cream is warming, place your chocolate, diced butter and salt in a deep mixing bowl.
3. Once your cream is boiling, pour over the chocolate and butter and tightly clingfilm the bowl (the warm cream will gently melt the chocolate and butter).
4. After 10 minutes, mix thoroughly and pour into a mould. Place into the fridge to set for two hours.
5. Remove from the fridge and allow to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Served in the picture (taken at Andi’s restaurant, The Riverside Inn, Chelmsford) with banana and caramel.
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Barnwell Food Festival in Northamptonshire – Sunday May 20, 2018
The beautiful Northamptonshire village of Barnwell near Oundle will host a food & craft festival on May 20, 10.30am to 4pm. If you are a food or drink business interested in exhibiting, call Paula from Stanley Street Food on 07857 150803.
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Guide to great coffee shops & roasteries
There’s more to life than Costa, Starbucks and Nescafé. At Great Food Club we love independent coffee shops and roasters. Here’s our guide to some of the very best in our recommended network. Remember: for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.
Nelo’s Coffee Indulgence, Nottingham & Oakham
A fixture at the Wolf Down pop-up on Nottingham’s Station Street and Oakham Farmers’ Market in Rutland, Nelo’s Coffee Indulgence operates from a converted Italian Piaggio Ape. John Nelson developed his love for good coffee following years of travel to Italy and is barista trained. This shows in John’s approach – he not only knows what he is doing, but cares deeply about it too. He also bakes delicious biscotti!
Well Roasted Coffee, Market Harborough
Will Scott has been roasting coffee in rural Leicestershire since June 2015. After undergoing a research trip to Columbia, he purchased two Gene coffee roasters and set up shop in the Welland Valley. Well Roasted Coffee provides fabulous coffees from around the world – from Columbia to Guatamala to Sumatra – and Will has clearly spent plenty of time ensuring he gets the roasting profile of each bean just right.
Teajuanas, York
Tucked away on Skeldergate, just below the Ouse Bridge, Teajuanas is easy to miss in the bustle of York. It sources coffee beans from York Coffee Emporium, which has created two blends especially for Teajuanas. The beans are ground on site and this coffee shop also serves Brazilian café-pingado. Food-wise, British pork pies sit alongside generous portions of Spanish tortillas. Excellent!
Cartwheel Cafe & Roastery, Nottingham
Cartwheel Café and Roastery provides a refuge in the heart of Nottingham. The café is the brainchild of Alex Bitsios-Esposito and his wife Becci, who roast their own coffee and pride themselves on selecting and sourcing the very best ethically-produced beans. When ordering you can choose your method of brewing: the Siphon method takes around five minutes and there is something supremely relaxing about watching the water heat up and bubble through the glass siphons.
Bulwick Village Shop, Northamptonshire
Bulwick Village Shop, winner of Best Shop in the Great Food Club Awards 2017/18, serves fantastic freshly brewed coffee. Choose from espresso, cappuccino, latté, Irish – whatever takes your fancy. And if you want something a little stronger, try the espresso martini. On a fine day, Bulwick Village Shop’s terrace is the perfect place to enjoy these coffees, with a homemade pastry or cake.
Greyseal Coffee, North Norfolk
Grey Seal’s roastery can be found in the idyllic farmyard location in Glandford, a hamlet in the Glaven Valley, north Norfolk. This is where the magic happens. Coffee is sourced from around the globe and hand-roasted weekly by expert roasters. The coffee is fresh and sublime and attracts acclaim from novice and expert coffee lovers alike. Grey Seal Coffee can be enjoyed at cafés and coffee shops around Norfolk, including its own outlets in Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney, and at its Art Café opposite the roastery in Glandford.
Two Chimps Coffee, Oakham
Two Chimps Coffee‘s state-of-the-art coffee roaster takes pride of place on their premises at Pilings Road in Oakham. They source single-origin coffee beans in small quantities from Colombia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Mexico and Honduras. Two Chimps are experts and will grind a coffee especially for you based on what you like and how you make it. They sell their coffee via subscription.
Society Cafe, Bristol, Bath & Oxford
We first discovered Society Cafe on a day trip to Bath, a city that’s home to two branches of this cool, classy coffee shop (there’s also one in Bristol and another in Oxford). The house coffee here changes seasonally but is always roasted by Origin Coffee, based in Helston, Cornwall. Society Cafe also features a changing weekly guest coffee, which always comes from a UK roastery.
St Martin’s Coffee, Leicester
St Martin’s Coffee is an independent coffee shop and roastery in Leicester city centre. Open seven days a week, it serves excellent single-origin coffee. Its blends are also available to buy so you can enjoy them at home, together with a choice of top-quality coffee-brewing gear such as Aeropresses. The coffee shop is spacious and laid back, set out over two floors – the perfect place to take time out with a great cup while enjoying the surprisingly interesting food menu.
200 Degrees Coffee, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham & more
200 Degrees’ Nottingham-based founders Rob Darby and Tom Vincent started out roasting beans in their garage. Now they run six coffee shops around the UK. Read their success story here.
Stewarts of Trent Bridge, Nottingham
What is it about Nottingham and coffee!? Trent-siders must love their caffeine more than most because Stewarts of Trent Bridge is yet another Nottingham-based artisan coffee roaster. Producing a great range of coffees to suit all tastes, it was founded by the late Stewart Falconer in 1984. Stewarts has something for everyone, with often undiscovered gems appearing as part of the monthly subscription service.
Every business featured in this post is part of GFC’s recommended network. They are recommended on merit – you cannot pay to be recommended by GFC. However, this is a promoted feature and therefore contains advertisements.
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Welbeck wins Farm Shop & Deli of the Year award
Welbeck Farm Shop in Nottinghamshire has won its biggest award to date after taking one of the top honours in this year’s Farm Shop & Deli Awards.
Announced at the Farm Shop & Deli Show at Birmingham’s NEC on Monday April 16, Welbeck won the ‘Small Farm Shop of the Year’ award against strong competition from around the country. The award was made on the basis of a public vote followed by judging from an independent panel of food industry experts.
The awards recognise the highest standards in the UK independent retail market and focus on service, product knowledge, initiative and innovation.
Based on the Welbeck Estate between Nottingham and Sheffield, the store’s commitment to low food miles, artisan food tradition, rigorous taste testing, and waste reduction has earned it a reputation as one of the country’s top farm shops with other awards including the FARMA Farm Butcher of the Year 2013 and 2015.
“This award is a tribute to our team,” said Oliver Stubbins, Welbeck Farm Shop manager. “Everybody here is passionate about what we do – from sourcing the best produce to providing the best customer service. We believe in good food at a fair price.”
Welbeck Farm Shop sits at the heart of a vibrant artisan food community. Most of the shop’s product range is sourced from or prepared on the historic Welbeck Estate. Open seven days a week, it stocks the estate’s own meat, game and raw milk (also used to make ‘Stichelton’ blue cheese), ale from Welbeck Abbey Brewery, bread and patisserie from Welbeck Bakehouse and chocolate from Welbeck Farm Shop’s resident chocolatier Shelly Preston.
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Burleighs Gin plots “quintessentially British” gin and picnic party
Burleighs Gin is plotting a “quintessentially British” gin and picnic party in the grounds of a Victorian country house.
The first ever ‘Picnic in the Gardens’ will take place on Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16 (new date added due to popular demand), 2018, in the idyllic grounds of Leicestershire’s Beaumanor Hall. The event will comprise al fresco dining, drinking and entertainment.
The Leicestershire distiller invites you to “gather your friends and settle down to enjoy your picnic banquet, encompassing the best of Leicestershire food and drink, whilst taking in the picturesque surroundings. As the sun begins to set, the party will begin with live music, entertainment and an array of gin cocktails!”
Burleighs World Gin Day Festival sold out four months in advance in 2017, so move fast on tickets to avoid disappointment! Packages are available to book now for two people and include entry to Beaumanor grounds, your picnic essentials including a Burleighs blanket to keep, a world of great gin and cocktails, live music and entertainment, a free Copa Glass and a free G & T each on arrival!
For more information, click here.
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Everards’ Tubby raises £1,800 for charity COPS
Everards has handed over a £1,800 cheque to the charity COPS (Care of Police Survivors), which is dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty. The money was raised by Everards donating 5p from every pint of Tubby sold in pubs in November. The beer was specially brewed to commemorate Leicester PC 83, John William “Tubby” Stephens, who served for 22 years with Leicester Borough Police Force.
Chief constable Simon Cole QPM said: “I am delighted this special beer brewed in memory of an iconic Leicestershire police officer has raised such a significant amount for charity. COPS is close to the hearts of everyone who works for the police because it supports the families of officers who have died in the line of duty. This donation means a great deal to us all.”
The beer was hugely popular with pubs, where customers enjoying a pint of Tubby found inviting layers of vanilla and blackberry in this dark ale – a beer Tubby himself would have enjoyed!
COPS has helped many families, including Sarah Everitt’s. Sarah lost her husband Bryan Moore who, together with his colleague Andy Munn, was killed while on duty in 2002. Widowed and with three children under 13, Sarah found the support from COPS invaluable. She said: “COPS was an absolute lifeline for us as it put us in touch with people who were in the same situation. No one else can understand what you’re going through like someone who has been there. COPS is about survivors supporting each other; they help the whole family and become a strong network of friends. We all get involved in fundraising for this great cause – my children are currently organising the next cycle ride for the cause.”
For those who missed out, Tubby will be back on the bar this May – so make a note in your diary!
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“Little Cook Boxes allow parents and kids to bond in the kitchen and reduce dreaded screen time”
Little Cook Box produces cook-it-yourself meal kits designed to get young children cooking and having fun in the kitchen. After receiving four sample boxes – Scrummy Smoked Fishcakes, Crazy Chicken Goujons, Sizzling Stir Fry Noodles and Crackin’ Calzone – my six-year-old son and I tried cooking with them at home after school.
The boxes are priced at £19.95 for four meal kits (at the time of writing), and each kit is supposed to serve one, but we found each created enough of a meal to serve the cook’s two-year-old sister too, plus allow Dad a small bite. The four kits arrived in a large, chilled box and all the fresh ingredients are supplied in each pack (you need one or two store-cupboard extras such as flour and oil). The recipes are simple and easy to follow, written in large type on the back of each pack so little ones can follow the steps.
We donned aprons, washed hands and got creating. The ingredients are basic but decent quality and cooking with the meal kits was simple and fun: we both found it rewarding to cook together. My son is a picky eater but he actually even enjoyed cooking the one meal he didn’t fancy eating (and in the end decided to give it a tentative taste). Overall, Little Cook Boxes provide a good introduction to cooking for children. They also allow parents and kids to bond over a shared activity, and – so important these days – offer a strong constructive diversion away from the dreaded screen time (TV, computer and phone). Over to my son, Enzo…
“Me and my Dad cooked with four Little Cook Boxes; my favourite was chicken goujons. I liked cooking with the boxes because they were suitable for me. At first I thought they would be too advanced… but they turned out to be simple. I followed the instructions and my Dad helped me. The best thing about it was being able to cook with my Daddy and then sit down and eat it. There was some left for my little sister too and she loved it!”
By Enzo Wright, aged 6
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Rural charm and great food: 10 country pubs you need to visit
The evenings are getting lighter, the daffs are trying their best to emerge, the lambs are in the fields. One of the best things to do to celebrate the new season is to head to a brilliant country pub (but that’s true anytime actually!). Whether it’s Sunday lunch with friends and family, a country walk or a bike ride followed by a bite and a glass or two, or a midweek evening meal to break up the week, a trip to a characterful village hostelry is always worthwhile. Well-run rural pubs are special places and they definitely need and deserve our support. Here are ten we heartily recommend.
The Samuel Fox, Bradwell, Hope Valley, Derbyshire
- The Samuel Fox from above
We’ve eaten at The Samuel Fox (above is an aerial view) in the Derbyshire Peak District’s glorious Hope Valley on a few occasions, and have been blown away each time. The cooking of James Duckett (chef-patron since 2012) and his team is exceptional. James has worked under some big names including Marcus Wareing and Michel Roux Jnr – and it shows. This AA five-star inn has four rooms, making it a great base for food lovers who want to explore the Peaks. The Samuel Fox was also named Restaurant of the Year 2017 by local publication, Westside Magazine.
The Bewicke Arms, Hallaton, Leicestershire
The Bewicke Arms in Hallaton is a delightful thatched village pub with its own cafe opposite. It was shortlisted in the GFC Awards 2017/18 and the setting is hard to beat: Hallaton is a stunning village and this pub is wonderfully cosy. It has been sympathetically rejuvenated and the dining areas are pretty and carefully designed. A great amount of thought and effort has clearly gone into the Bewicke, making it an idyllic village pub. The food – majoring on traditional pub classics with the occasional twist – is of a very good standard, too.
The Blue Bell, Glinton, Cambridgeshire
Situated in the Cambridgeshire village of Glinton, just north of Peterborough, The Blue Bell is a cosy village dining pub dating back to the 18th century. Michelin Guide-recommended and focusing on local and seasonal ingredients, head chef and owner Will Frankgate – a former Roux Scholarship finalist – and his team produce excellent classic and modern British dishes. The vibe is relaxed but the food is prepared and cooked to a high standard. Highly recommended.
The Jackson Stops, Stretton, Rutland
Set back from the road in the pretty Rutland village of Stretton stands the thatched Jackson Stops. Country hostelry through and through, this early 18th-century pub is recommended by the Michelin Guide 2018, having been awarded a Michelin Plate. The interior matches the idyllic exterior, with a traditional, unpretentious front bar serving local ales from the likes of The Grainstore Brewery and Oakham Ales. This is a beautiful and welcoming country pub serving excellent food.
The King’s Arms, Wing, Rutland
- The King’s Arms at Wing
The rustic 17th-century King’s Arms in Wing, Rutland, is 100% committed to local sourcing and has its own smokehouse, run by head chef and co-owner James Goss. This inn – it has eight bedrooms – is inspired by Rutland’s beautiful countryside, and many of the team are keen foragers. It came as no surprise, then (to us at least), when The King’s Arms was named Midlands Pub Winner in the Countryside Alliance Rural Oscars last week, while also making the final in the inaugural Game to Eat ‘Game Champion Award’. A slice of rural heaven.
The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, Norfolk
- The Gunton Arms
Formerly a country house hotel and shooting lodge where King Edward VII enjoyed liaisons with his mistress Lillie Langtry, The Gunton Arms was converted into a pub with 12 bedrooms in October 2011. The kitchen sources local ingredients and seasonal produce, enthusiastically cooking venison from the deer park, beef and pork over a large open fire in the Elk Room (look out for the huge antlers over the fireplace). The meat is served with the likes of goose-fat roast potatoes, Bramley apple, Béarnaise sauce and rowanberry jelly. Desserts are reassuringly indulgent: rice pudding with crab-apple jelly, Victoria plum and almond tart, or “a shot” of sloe gin jelly. A real Norfolk smasher!
The Martin’s Arms, Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire
- The Martin’s Arms
British village pubs don’t get much more classic-feeling than the Martin’s Arms, which has been named County Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2014-18 inclusive. Hidden away just a few yards from Colston Bassett’s famous Stilton dairy, it’s a Grade II-listed enclave of comfort, good beer, and superb food. Once you enter the front door, you won’t want to leave. It’s a real gem – a haven of good taste and tranquility, offering top-quality food.
The Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire
- The Star at Harome
Best Restaurant with Rooms in the White Rose Awards; one Michelin Star; a place in the Top 50 Gastro Pubs list; 19th in the National Restaurant Awards… The Star Inn at Harome near Helmsley has plenty of gongs to its name, and rightly so. The thatched inn dates back to the 14th century and certainly looks the part, with its quaint village setting and snug vintage interior of low beams, wood panelling and rough plastered walls. Chef and owner Andrew Pern roots his seasonally changing menus firmly in North Yorkshire where he grew up. The Star Inn deserves its many accolades – it’s a gleaming jewel in Yorkshire’s dining crown.
The Inn at Freshford, near Bath
The Inn at Freshford sits five miles from Bath, near the water meadows of the River Avon. It is a long, stone building with wooden benches overlooking fields and a decent-sized outdoor seating area. It offers a good range of specials and a small-plates, tapas-style – the likes of meatballs in roast tomato sauce, salt & pepper squid and roast mushrooms with Wyfe of Bath cheese. This is a fine pub in a delightful village and also the starting point of a great 3.5-mile circular walk – The Two Valleys Walk – taking in The Cross Guns at Avoncliff – more here.
The Live & Let Live, Bringsty, Herefordshire
- The Live & Let Live
The Live & Let Live is a friendly, family-run Herefordshire freehouse that oozes history and character. Exposed timbers, flagstone floors, a fine fireplace and a delightfully tranquil location combine to create wonderful surroundings in which to enjoy honest traditional pub fare alongside local ciders and ales, such as Wye Valley Brewery’s Butty Bach. The menu offers good, wholesome pub food, with something for everybody, with many ingredients coming from local suppliers.
Every pub featured in this post is part of GFC’s recommended network. They are recommended on merit – you cannot pay to be recommended by GFC. However, this is a promoted feature and therefore contains advertisements.
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Review: The White Swan at Shawell’s ‘Express Lunch’
Even the best restaurants, especially in rural areas, can sometimes struggle to pull in strong lunchtime trade. GFC favourite The White Swan at Shawell, Leicestershire (recommended by us here), is in a beautiful village location but is actually well placed for many businesses in Lutterworth, Rugby, Magna Park or indeed those passing through the busy M1/M6 junction nearby.
So to encourage people to leave the office, the Michelin Guide-recommended pub has introduced an ‘Express Lunch’ option it can serve in just 45 minutes. For £15 you’ll get an amuse-bouche, a main course and side, plus petits fours. And it’s all shot through with quality you would expect from chef-patron Rory McLean, a Rugby lad who has worked in the past with Angela Hartnett, Jason Atherton and Marcus Wareing.
On the menu might be a substantial amuse combining homemade taramasalata with a citrussy avocado cream and Parmesan crisp, while mains include epic fish and chips with crunchy goose-fat chips, or – particularly enjoyed by GFC on a recent visit – slow-cooked ox cheek with truffle mush and spiced carrot purée. Petit fours such as chocolate truffles rolled in pistachio crumb complete the meal.
If you’ve not got anything too pressing back at work, you might pay a quick visit to the restaurant’s terrific wine list. If the boss is paying, go for the Chateau Batailley Pauillac, or more realistically, select from 15 bottles available by the glass. The superbly smooth Faultline Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough goes a treat with fish.
It all sounds a lot better than sitting at your desk with a sandwich, no?
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The Small Food Awards wants your big ideas
Britain’s most cutting-edge food producers are being invited to put their ideas and skills to the test by entering the second national Small Food Awards. Run by social enterprise Virtuous Bread and The School of Artisan Food, the awards aim to recognise micro, professional food producers in the UK who are at the forefront of innovation and excellence in the food industry.
Open to small food producers with a maximum of two people in the business, products must be produced in a non-industrial or domestic environment such as a home kitchen. Five artisan food categories are included: bread, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, and savoury fermented products such as pickles.
An expert panel of judges will assess the entries on criteria including taste, texture and appearance and choose three finalists from each category to attend the awards ceremony at The School of Artisan Food at the Welbeck Estate on the Notts/South Yorkshire border on May 3, 2018.
“The Small Food Awards provide a fabulous opportunity for micro food producers to showcase their products and compete against others who face the same challenges. We hope the awards will encourage the very best artisan food creators to come forward and take part in this great event,” said Julie Byrne, MD of The School of Artisan Food. “With advice from the judges as well as experts here at The School, we aim to give Britain’s best small producers a platform to grow their businesses and take their brilliant products to a wider market.”
Julie Byrne, MD of The School of Artisan Food
Entrants should register their entry via email to jane@virtuousbread.com by April 9, 2018. Entries must be submitted by post to or dropped off at The School of Artisan Food by 12 noon on April 25 for judging.
A previous winner is Indigo Bakes of Basingstoke, Hampshire, a micro-bakery specialising in sourdough and long-fermentation breads and pastries. Owner Patrick Bowden said: “Winning first for our Lillymill white sourdough, pain aux raisin and third prize for our apple Danish at the Small Food Awards was such an honour. The support we received afterwards, through the prizes we won, included two hours of coaching from both Jane Mason and Camilla Barnard, which was invaluable in boosting our morale and confidence.
“We had been working out of a converted shed in the back garden and that was a tall order most of the time. The space was cramped and we had to be ultra-organised. The Small Food Awards made us realise we could do so much more and helped us to grow our bakery out of the shed into a 700sq ft unit.”
Jane Mason, founder and director of Virtuous Bread, said: “Many of the most important innovations in food in the past decade, whether it has been in design, production or delivery, have come from micro producers. However, they are frequently at a disadvantage when it comes to competition in their area, many of which are dominated by much larger organisations.”
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Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards launched for tenth successive year
The team behind the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards is delighted to announce the competition has been launched for 2018/19 for its tenth year.
The Awards, run by the sector for the sector, celebrate all that is great about local produce and drink, recognising excellence within the county.
Thanks to ongoing support from sponsors – Carlsberg UK, Booker, British Pepper & Spice, Dawn Farms, Heygates Flour and Animal Feed, Howes Percival, Moulton College, Northampton College, Pidy UK, Weetabix, Whitco Catering and Bakery Equipment and Whitworth Bros Ltd Flour Millers – and with assistance from SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership), the Awards categories will continue to offer recognition to the county’s finest pubs and restaurants, cafés and chefs, producers and entrepreneurs.
Joining the prestigious line-up is Northampton wholefood retailer Daily Bread, whose generous sponsorship has enabled the introduction of a new category aimed at vegetarian and vegan producers.
Details of the 2018/19 competition were unveiled at the launch at Moulton College in Northampton. Here, guests learned of the benefit that success in the competition can bring from the joint winners of the 2017/18 ‘One To Watch’ category – Ian Horton from Ganders Goat in Cottingham and John Evans from Towcester Mill Brewery.
As Ian revealed, gaining finalist status was invaluable, as was securing a winner’s logo: “As part of the judging process, we had the opportunity to take advantage of the considerable business expertise of the panel. As a result, we had a complete rethink of our branding. In addition, when taking our goats’ milk ice cream to potential stockists beyond the county, we found that the stamp of approval in being a Carlsberg UK award winner is something that rightfully commands respect.”
After the formal proceedings, the sponsors, supporters, and reigning champions enjoyed a site visit to Moulton College’s new £5m Food and Drink Innovation Centre, due to open to students in September.
More details here.
